Proverbs 1:17-21 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

2. Second admonitory discourse. Address of Wisdom personified, exhibing the folly of those who wilfully reject, and the security of those who hearken to, her counsels. The sacred writer, in this section, as also in Proverbs 8:1-36 ; uses the rhetorical figure of prosopopceia, or impersonation. Wisdom is represented as speaking and as addressing the simple, scorners, and fools. The address itself is one of the noblest specimens of sacred eloquence, expressing in rapid succession the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

Warning cry of Wisdom In dramatic style, Wisdom is presentiated, personified, endued with visible and audible attributes. As contempt for religion has been animadverted upon, so now contempt for Wisdom calls for rebuke. The motto ( Proverbs 1:7 ) is still in the preacher's mind. I. THE CRY OF WISDOM IS PUBLIC AND CLEAR . In the street, "where merchants most do congregate," and in all places of general resort, the cry is heard. Hers is no esoteric doctrine; it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:21

She crieth in the chief place of concourse. The chief place is literally the head ( ראֹשׁ , rosh ); here used figuratively for the place where streets or roads branch off in different directions, as in Ezekiel 16:25 , "the beginning of streets," or "the head of the way;" comp. Genesis 2:10 , where it is used of the point at which the four streams branched off; and the corresponding expression in Proverbs 8:2 , "She staudeth in the top ( rosh ) of high places." Of concourse... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:17

Proverbs 1:17. Surely in vain the net is spread, &c. Even the silly birds will not suffer themselves to be taken if the net be spread in their sight; therefore, be at least as wise as they, and shun that which, by repeated experience, is always known to end in ruin. Thus understood, the sentence connects with the preceding verse, and contains an argument to enforce the caution given to the young man, to shun the misery and ruin in which his hearkening to the counsel of sinners would... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:18-19

Proverbs 1:18-19. And they lay wait, &c. Assure thyself, such men are working their own ruin, and, as it were, lying in wait for themselves, when they lie in wait to take away the lives of others; for, in the end, they shall not escape the hand of justice, but be overtaken and suffer, either by a special vengeance of God, or by human punishment, what they have deserved. Let the young and unexperienced, who are entering into the paths of the world, treasure up this in their memories; let... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:20

Proverbs 1:20. Wisdom crieth, &c. Having shown the counsels and invitations of folly and of wicked men, he now declares the voice of wisdom. The Hebrew word חכמות , rendered wisdom here, is in the plural number, and is literally wisdoms. It was probably intended to include various kinds, or, rather, all the kinds of Wisdom 1 st, The works of creation, (see on Psalms 19:1-6,) the light and law of nature, the dispensations of divine providence, the human understanding, are wisdom, Job... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:21

Proverbs 1:21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse Where there is most probability of success. The LXX. render it, επ ’ ακρων τειχεων κηρυσσεται , she preacheth upon the tops of the walls, or houses, a translation which Houbigant approves. Schultens, not improperly, renders the Hebrew, בראשׁ המיות , at the head, or beginning, of the most frequented streets. In the opening of the gates Where magistrates sit in judgment, and people are assembled. So she crieth, both to the wise... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

Heed instruction; avoid bad company (1:8-19)Having introduced his subject, the writer now gives the first of a series of lessons on the value of wisdom. Throughout these lessons he speaks as a father to a son, drawing from his own experience to give advice and warning (8-9).The first warning concerns bad companions, especially those who lead others astray with the tempting offer of instant wealth through robbery and violence (10-14). The writer hopes that the inexperienced youth, being... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom addresses the people (1:20-33)To help people see what he is saying about wisdom, the writer tries to give illustrations that anyone can understand. He does not discuss wisdom as an abstract principle, but pictures it as being in the form of a person (i.e. personified). He speaks of wisdom as if it were a dignified and well respected woman who stands in the streets and market places of the town and speaks openly and plainly to those who pass by (20-21).The woman addresses her words... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:17

in vain, &c. = it avails not. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 . The sight of the net does not deter the birds. They (emphatic) still go on to their capture and death. The next verse requires this sense. So men go on in their evil ways, though they know it is to their own ruin (Proverbs 1:18 ). read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:18-19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:17

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